As New Delhi navigates diplomatic complexities, evidence emerges of arms and explosives transfers to Israel during the Gaza war, according to Al Jazeera.
26 Jun. 24: In the early morning hours of May 15, the cargo vessel Borkum lingered off the Spanish coast near Cartagena. Protesters waving Palestinian flags called for authorities to inspect the ship, suspecting it carried weapons bound for Israel, reports Al Jazeera. Leftist members of the European Parliament urged Spanish President Pedro Sánchez to prevent the ship from docking, citing concerns over arms shipments to a nation under investigation for alleged genocide against Palestinians.
Before the Spanish government could respond, the Borkum bypassed Cartagena and headed to the Slovenian port of Koper. “We were right,” tweeted Inigo Errejon, spokesperson for the hard-left Sumar party, interpreting the ship’s change of course as confirmation of their suspicions.
Al Jazeera claims that the documents it has obtained reveal that the Borkum was indeed carrying explosives loaded in India, destined for Israel’s port of Ashdod, 30 km from the Gaza Strip. Marine tracking data shows the ship departed Chennai, India, on April 2, taking a detour around Africa to avoid the Red Sea, where Yemeni Houthis have been targeting vessels in retaliation for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The cargo, as per identification codes in the documents, included 20 tonnes of rocket engines, 12.5 tonnes of rockets with explosive charges, 1,500 kg of explosive substances, and 740 kg of charges and propellants for cannons. Confidentiality clauses mandated that no employee or consultant name IMI Systems or Israel. IMI Systems, acquired by Elbit Systems in 2018, is Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer.
Despite the German company MLB Manfred Lauterjung Befrachtung, managing the Borkum, denying any arms cargo for Israel, another vessel, Marianne Danica, was also linked to the controversy. Departing from Chennai with 27 tonnes of explosives, it was denied entry to Cartagena on May 21. Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirmed the denial, citing military cargo bound for Israel.
These incidents add to the growing evidence of Indian weapon parts reaching Israel amid the Gaza war. Lack of transparency in India’s arms transfers complicates tracking, say analysts. Zain Hussain of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) highlights the challenge of verifying these transfers but acknowledges long-standing military cooperation between India and Israel.
On June 6, the Quds News Network released a video showing a missile fragment in Gaza labeled “Made in India,” following an Israeli bombing of a UN shelter. Hussain noted that a significant part of this collaboration involves missile production, particularly the Barak surface-to-air missile, with Indian companies like Premier Explosives Limited playing a key role.
Premier Explosives’ executive director admitted to exporting to Israel during the current conflict, boasting record quarterly revenue from these exports. The company, specializing in rocket motors, mines, and military explosives, did not respond to requests for comment.
India’s defense collaboration with Israel extends to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Adani Elbit UAV complex in Hyderabad, established in 2018, produces the Hermes 900 UAV, capable of being armed with missiles. While Adani Defence & Aerospace claims their drones are for surveillance, SIPRI’s Hussain warns of the potential for these UAVs to be used in combat.
India’s balancing act in international relations is tested as it seeks to mediate peace in Gaza while supplying arms to Israel. Historical ties and strategic partnerships complicate its position. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has fostered close relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, faces a delicate diplomatic situation, especially with India’s recent abstention from a UN resolution condemning the Hamas attack.
India’s foreign policy, traditionally advocating dialogue over military action, faces scrutiny as evidence of arms transfers to Israel during the Gaza conflict emerges. As New Delhi navigates its diplomatic stance, the global community watches closely, questioning the implications for peace and conflict resolution.
